In The News

Courageous Arab Thinkers

Thomas L. Friedman October 19, 2003
Can the Arab countries – long dependent on their abundant oil resources for their incomes – be convinced that development and growth is actually dependent on democracy and open societies? A group of Arab scholars are aiming to do just that by publishing their second "Arab Development Report", which analyzes the economic stagnation of the Middle East in light of the UN's "...

Cross and Headscarf

Fritz Friedebold October 17, 2003
"Muslim teachers are not suited to working in German schools if they insist on wearing a headscarf during class," says the German Protestant Church. Even though it understands that one day this stance could be extended to ban the cross in German schools and public offices, the Church argues that there should not be a ban but merely a limit on the donning of religious symbols by civil...

Tough Struggle at Sea

September 30, 2003
Women are increasingly manning the world's ships, yet they continue to face discrimination. According to a new study published by the International Labor Office, women currently represent between 1 and 2 percent of the world's 1.25 million seafarers, serving on some 87,000 ships. Even in the Philippines – the world’s largest supplier of seafarers to the global merchant fleet – only...

Why is Zimbabwe Overlooked By SA's Sunshine Advocates?

Goko September 26, 2003
With an Islamic appeals court's acquittal of Amina Lawal, the Nigerian woman who was sentenced to death for having sex out of wedlock, feminist activists from around the world are celebrating a victory against conservative Shari 'a law. However, as the editorial in this Johannesburg daily points out , violations of women's rights are common in many parts of Africa – Muslim,...

E.U. Looks at Travel Policy for Gay Couples

September 23, 2003
Free movement of labor between EU countries is, in the words of one EU official, "key for Europe's competitiveness". Yet, each nation's policy towards same-sex relationships complicates this freedom of movement. As of now, a spouse can immigrate with ease, whereas a domestic partner – same sex or otherwise – has difficulty moving into some EU countries but not others. As...

Dutch Groups Launch Gay Marriage Manual

September 2, 2003
In the latest battle over convergence on global attitudes and laws regarding homosexuality, Dutch gay rights groups have published a manual outlining how and why their country legalized gay marriage. The guide also offers advice to politicians and activists in other countries on how to promote equal rights for same-sex couples and gays and lesbians more generally. The handbook's...

A Head Trip: Indian Hair Finds Parts in Hollywood

Julia Angwin August 21, 2003
After the birth of a long-awaited son or the recovery of an ill spouse, Hindu women often visit a temple and shave their long locks as a gesture of thanks. Few suspect that their sacrificed hair may end up on the head of a European or American woman, possibly even a Hollywood actress. Yet temples across India make tidy profits selling the hair of pilgrims to foreign companies that make hair...